6-4 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



same time. We regret this delay in receiving the earlier reports, the 

 more as they contain much interesting information ; at the same time 

 by reviewing them together a fuller insight into the state of aiTairs is 

 gained. 



There is a personal note and enthusiastic optimism and self-satisfac- 

 tion pervading these reports which is refreshing and apparently justi- 

 fied, but still provokes a smile by its exuberance. To quote : "We 

 undoubtedly have the best forest-fire protective system of any State. 

 Our reforestation work is well under way, with approximately 15,000 

 acres set out to young forest trees. The practice of improvement 

 thinnings and modern methods of forest management is yearly receiv- 

 ing more attention by woodland owners. Forest depredations of dis- 

 eases and insects are given special consideration in regard to their 

 eradication and control in this State." 



This last phase of the forest department's activities is by far the 

 most prominent as regards number of employees and expenditure. 

 Indeed, one is tempted to make insect control the basic raisou d'etre 

 of the department. Of the staff of employees, some 720. cited by 

 name, almost one-half is directly engaged in moth-work, and of the 

 total appropriations and contributions from towns and private forest 

 owners, amounting to around $350,000. over $270,000 seem to be 

 chargeable to "moth-work." We say "seem," for while any number 

 of financial statements are strewn through the pages of the reports, it 

 would take a competent accountant to disentangle correctly the direc- 

 tion in which the expenditures are chargeable, since there is no one 

 final financial statement. Some thirty-odd thousand dollars are ex- 

 pended in fire-fighting; some ten to fifteen thousand on improvements 

 in State forests, and the State Forester's general expenses (with a 

 more or less permanent staff of about 40), including nurseries, around 

 twenty thousand dollars. These amounts are partly appropriations by 

 the State, partly and to a considerable extent contributions from mu- 

 nicipalities and private sources ; but again it would require considerable 

 figuring to separate the two sources as a whole. 



Besides the moth inspectors, over 300 forest wardens, located in 

 towns, form a most effective army for propaganda of forestry ideas as 

 well. 



Co-operation, far and wide, with municipalities, corporations, and 

 individuals is the principle on which the forest department is based. 

 This co-operation is more or less developed in protective work and in 

 giving advice and assistance in management of woodlots, in planting, 



